TALK OF DEFAMATION DOWN WAIRARAPA WAY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6756, 8 November 1928, Page 6

TALK OF DEFAMATION DOWN WAIRARAPA WAY

Threat to Sue McLeod OPPONENT OBJECTS TO LABEL ‘ * OPPORTUNIST * MANY PARTY WOOINGS. Per Press Association. MASTBRTON, Last NightA new development in the campaign for the Wairarapa seat was disclosed at Te Wharau on Monday evening, when Hoa. A. D. McLeod announced he had received from his opponent a telegram, threatening to Issue a writ for defamation. About 50 electors assembled at tfa« Tc Whara schoolroom to hear Mr. McLeod and tho Reform candidate had an excellent reception. Mr. McLeod said that a new element had entered into the contest, in that he was receiving daily telegrams from his opponent, Colonel McDonald; On his arrival at To Wharan, he had received the following communication: “ 'Age' report of yout • meeting at Brancepeth states you called me a political opportunist because I offered my services to the Reform, Labour, Nationalist and United parties. The statement is a deliberate lie, intended to injure me. Unless you immediately publish in all papers circulating in the district a withdrawal and full apology, I shall immediately issue a writ for damages for defamation.’ ’ “Well,” said Mr. McLeod, “I don’t think I can add anything to the statement made by mo at Brancepeth on Monday night. My opponent’s reference about issuing a writ does not worry mo in tho slightest degree. Apparently he considers that the statement to the effect that he has in iha past offered his services to several political parties constitutes defamation of character. I have not been at tho head of the Reform organisation for the past eight years without knowing all those who have offered themselves for selection as Reform ' candidates during that period. ‘ ‘ Colonel McDonald is at present standing for tho United party and in 1922 he was a candidate in the Liber-al-Nationalist interests. So far as the Labour party is concerned, I have the personal .assurance of two of the most prominent* "sitting members of thaS party that he has also offered his se^-. vices as a candidate tp: that organisation in the intervening period. “As an indication of- his desire te obtain the support of that party, ha stated in reply to a question put .to him at Morrison’s Bush during tthe present campaign, tthat he would support a no-confidcnco motion moved by Labour, even if Sir Joseph Ward, ns leader of the United party, voted with Mr. Coates.

“The electors of this district know definitely where I stand political* ly and it is jnst as well that they should know where my opponent stands.”